Staff reporter(wp/es):
Sadiq Khan today promised to spend £200 million on step-free access to the Tube over the next five years, making it easier for the disabled, elderly and parents with young children to use.
The Mayor confirmed the move would take the number of accessible stations above 100 for the first time, with about 30 stations getting new lifts.
The first two stations — Harrow on the Hill on the Metropolitan line and Newbury Park on the Central line — were confirmed today with building work brought forward to 2017.
This is in addition to major stations such as Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road and Victoria becoming step-free the same year.
The funding, part of Transport for London’s business plan published later this week, means more than 40 per cent of the Underground network will be step-free by 2021, up from the current 27 per cent.
Campaigners welcomed the move, with disabilities groups saying public transport was “a lifeline” and parents’ groups suggesting it would help make London the best city in the world for families.
But questions remained over where the money would come from as TfL plans to make savings of £3.5 billion over the next five years.
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